Fingerprinting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A fingerprinting apparatus is disclosed for developing latent fingerprints impressed on the surface of a medium, such as a check. The apparatus comprises a casing having an enclosed cavity formed therein for containing a supply of magnetizable powder. A slot is formed in the upper portion of the casing defining an opening over the cavity. A spring biased cover is mounted over the opening to enclose the cavity and prevent the powder from spilling out during non-use. A folded holder is adapted to receive the medium within the fold. The bottom fold of the holder has an open window formed thereon for displaying the latent fingerprint on the medium. The holder is adapted to be inserted within the slot and under the cover, and is positioned to expose the window directly over the opening of the cavity. A magnet is rotatably mounted within the cavity and includes at least one pole which is adapted to physically contact the powder for attracting a quantity of powder thereon. The pole of the magnet is then rotated upwardly to pass over the opening of the cavity to brush a portion of the powder onto the surface of the medium. A portion of the powder deposited on the magnet adheres to the oils defining the latent fingerprint, but not to portions of the surface devoid of such oils, to produce a visible image of the fingerprint. The magnet is rotated by a gear and arcuate rack drive combination. The arcuate rack is formed on a lever which is pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the casing. A hammer is also pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the casing and is adapted to be cocked and triggered by the lever to strike the holder to shake loose any excess powder deposited on the impressed fingerprint.

United States Patent 1191 Schmidt et al.

' FINGERPRINTING APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Gerald W. Schmidt, WoodlandHills; Jay Smith, III; Lawrence T.

Jones, both of Pacific Palisades; Richard F. M. Conroy, Woodland Hills,all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Identicator Corporation, San

Francisco, Calif.

[22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 224,025

[52] US. Cl l18/3l.5, 118/57, 118/637 [51] Int. Cl B05b 17/00 [58] Fieldof Search ll8/3l.5, 57, 637, 308, l18/D1G. 24; 1l7/l7.5, .5, l, 1.5;134/143 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,934 6/1909Reverdys 134/143 1,676,020 7/1928 Glass et al. 1l8/31.5 1,883,53510/1932 Burnett 118/57 X 2,600,580 6/1952 Sabel et al. 118/637 X2,791,949 5/1957 Simmons et al. 118/637 X 2,874,063 2/1959 Greig 118/637X 2,952,241 9/1960 Clark et a1. 118/637 3,202,092 8/1965 Childress118/637 X 3,207,129 9/1965 Limberger.... 118/637 3,316,875 5/1967 Murrayet al. 1l8/D1G. 24 3,316,878 5/1967 Ferrari et a1 118/637 3,318,2845/1967 Hojo et al. 118/637 3,502,052 3/1970 Walsh 118/57 3,549,39712/1970 McDonald et al. ll8/3l.5 X 3,584,958 6/1971 Miller et a1.ll8/31.5 UX 3,592,675 7/1971 Cheng 118/637 UX Primary Examiner-MorrisKaplan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jackson & Jones [111 3,831,552 [451 Aug.27, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT A fingerprinting apparatus is disclosed fordeveloping latent fingerprints impressed on the surface of a medium,such as a check. The apparatus comprises a casing having an enclosedcavity formed therein for containing a supply of magnetizable powder. Aslot is formed in the upper portion of the casing defining an openingover the cavity. A spring biased cover is mounted over the opening toenclose the cavity and prevent the powder from spilling out duringnon-use. A folded holder is adapted to receive the medium within thefold. The bottom fold of the holder has an open window formed thereonfor displaying the latent fingerprint on the medium. The holder isadapted to be inserted within the slot and under the cover, and ispositioned to expose the window directly over the opening of the cavity.A magnet is rotatably mounted within the cavity and includes at leastone pole which is adapted to physically contact the powder forattracting a quantity of powder thereon. The pole of the magnet is thenrotated upwardly to pass over the opening of the cavity to brush aportion of the powder onto the surface of the medium. A portion of thepowder deposited on the magnet adheres to the oils defining the latentfingerprint, but not to portions of the surface devoid of such oils, toproduce a visible image of the fingerprint. The magnet is rotated by agear and arcuate rack drive combination. The arcuate rack is formed on alever which is pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the casing. A hammeris also pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the casing and is adaptedto be cocked and triggered by the lever to strike the holder to shakeloose any excess powder deposited on the impressed fingerprint.

26 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUEZHSM SEETZIQ I BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relatesgenerally to fingerprinting systems and more particularly tofingerprinting systems utilizing magnetizable powder as the developer.

2. Description of the Prior Art Because of the many annoyances andinconveniences concomitant with taking fingerprints with ink, varioussystems have been patented and/or developed which utilize magnetizablepowder as the developer.

One of the earliest systems utilizing magnetizable powder is describedin US. Pat. No. 3,132,036. In such a system, a latent fingerprint isdeveloped by brushing the same with the magnetizable powder material.The brushing procedure is accomplished by utilizing a magnet having acluster of magnetizable powder surrounding one pole of the magnet. Uponbrushing the powder onto the surface'of the medium, the powder adheresto the oil defining the fingerprint, but not to the portions of themedium devoid of such oils, to produce a visible image of thefingerprint.

Although this method is being used extensively to find and developlatent fingerprints, especially by law enforcement agencies, certainproblems are encountered when such a system is utilized for other usessuch as a means of identification on checks, passports, and similarcommercial papers. The main problem encountered lies in the brushing ofthe powder mixture to develop the print. In loose form, the developingpowder is very messy to handle and great care must be taken to avoidsoiling other portions of the medium or other objects in the immediatearea. As a result, such a system cannot be utilized in departmentstores, grocery markets, etc.

This problem has been somewhat alleviated in an apparatus described inUS. Pat. No. 3,549,397. In that patented disclosure, the magnetizablepowder is contained in a cavity formed in a casing. Themedium with thelatent fingerprint impressed on it is positioned over the cavity withthe fingerprint facing the quantity of powder. A cover having a movablemagnet mounted thereon is placed over the medium on the side oppositethe side of the medium having the fingerprint impressed thereon. Inoperation, after the medium is placed over the cavity and the top coveris positioned over the medium, the magnet is lowered to a positionadjacent the top side of the medium. This proximity of I the magnetcauses the powder to be attracted against the bottom surface of themedium and adhere to the fingerprint impression. After which, the magnetand the cover are moved away from the medium and the medium is withdrawnfrom the-apparatus with the visible image of the fingerprint illustratedthereon.

Although such an apparatus is an improvement over prior systems, severalshortcomings are still present which have prevented its commercialutilization.

The main shortcoming of the apparatus is that the disposition of themedium between the magnet and the powder reduces the attraction force ofthe magnet. Consequently, the magnet cannot attract a sufficient amountof powder to the medium to produce a clear and distinguishable print.

Another shortcoming of the apparatus is that when the cover is removed,the powder can still spill out of the cavity to soil the paper oranything else it contacts. This, of course, is unacceptable forcommercial uses in department stores, grocery markets, etc.

What is required by such users is that the apparatus must produce highquality prints automatically, conveniently and cleanly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION formed therein for containing a supply ofmagnetizable powder. A magnet is rotatively mounted within the cavityand is adapted to attract and transport a quantity of I the powder forbrushing the powderattracted thereto onto the surface of the mediumhaving the latent fingerprint impressed thereon. A portion of the powderadheres to the oils of the latent fingerprint to produce a visible imageof the print.

A primary advantage of the present invention is that the entireoperation is accomplished automatically and cleanly with a minimum ofsteps. This convenience factor makes the apparatus highly attractive forcommercial use.

Another important advantage of the present invention is that even thoughthe developing operation is fully automatic, the developed fingerprintsare still of a very high quality.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood byreference to the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of afingerprinting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the fingerprinting apparatus taken alonglines 22 of FIG. 1 showing a compartment containing magnetic powderhaving a magnet rotatively mounted therein;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along lines 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along lines 4-4 ofFIG. l'showing the lever construction;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus taken along lines 55 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the levers;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the apparatus similar to FIG. 4, exceptthat the lever is in a depressed position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a folded holder; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cover assembly with thefolder inserted in the apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1 shows a fingerprinting apparatus generally indicated by arrow 10,

comprising a casing 11 mounted on a base 13 with the casing 11 having apair of vertical slots 15 formed on the forward end wall 16. A coverplate 17 is mounted over the outer casing 11 and is supported on twosides and bonded to an L-shaped member 18 integrally formed on the topof the forward end wall 16 and a side wall 19. The other two peripheralsides of the cover plate 17 are unsupported and cooperate with the upperedges of the side wall 20 and rear end wall 21 to form a slot 22 forreceiving a folded holder 23. A handle 25 is located at the forward endof the casing and is mounted at both ends onto a pair of levers 27 and28 respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 11 is secured to the base by a pair ofthreaded bolts 29. The forward half of the base includes a bowl-likestructure 31 having a cavity 33 formed therein. The cavity 33 is alsoformed at its upper half by an opening 35 formed in the casing 11. Thecavity 33 is adapted to contain a supply of magnetiizable powder 37. Thepowder 37 may be of any conventional magnetizable material such as iron,nickel, or the like.

The top of the opening 35 and support member 36 is enclosed by a cover39 which is biased by a spring 41 to keep the cavity 33 enclosed duringnon-use.

An arm 43 is rotatably mounted within the cavity 33 with the outerextremity of the arm supporting a pair of magnets 45. As shown in FIG.3, the magnet arm 43 is mounted on a shaft 47 which is journaled withina pair of bearings 49. The bearings are mounted within a pair of boresformed by the mating inner walls of the casing 11 and base 13. A pair ofpinion gears 53 is integrally mounted on the extremity of the shaft 47which extends through the inner walls into a pair of lever chambers 55.The lever construction is not shown in FIG. 3 for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 8, the levers 27 and 28 are pivotally mountedat the rearward end of the chambers 55 to a pair ofjournal bearings 57formed on the base 13 by means of a shaft 59. As stated previously, theforward extremity of the levers 27 and 28 extend through a pair ofvertical slots 15 for supporting the handle 25. Each of the levers 27and 28 are biasly supported by a coil spring 60 in the upward direction.Each of the levers 27 and 28 further includes an arcuate gear section 61which is adapted to engage a corresponding pinion gear 53. It is thearcuate movement of the levers 27 and 28 and their gear sectors 61 thatrotatingly drives the pinion gear 53.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 6, the lever 27 also includes an inwardlyextending lug 63 and a trigger 65. The lever 27 also includes a cut outportion 67. The lug 63 is adapted to engage the arm portion 69 of ahammer 71 during downward movement of the lever 27. (See FIG. 7). Thearm portion 69 of the hammer 71 is also pivotally supported on the shaft59. A coil spring 73 is mounted on the base 13 and is adapted tobiasingly engage the bottom of the arm portion 69 for biasing the armportion of the arm upwardly. The upper extremity of the hammer 71 isadapted to extend through an aperture 75 formed in the upper wall orsupport member 36 of the casing 11. The lower extremity of the hammeralso includes a projection 77 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 79ofa sear 81. The sear 81 is pivotally mounted on an inner wall andincludes an arcuate sector 83 and a leg section 85. The leg section 85includes the shoulder 79 while the arcuate section is adapted to beengaged by the trigger 65.

FIGS. 1 and 8 show the holder 23 which is preferably made of a foldedsheet of plastic with the lower fold having a window 87 formed therein.The holder 23 is adapted to receive and support any medium such as acheck in which a latent fingerprint is impressed thereon. A portion ofthe medium having the fingerprint is adapted to be exposed through thewindow. The top side of the folder 87 also includes an indented area 89,the function of which will be described hereinafter.

OPERATION A typical example of the utilization of the fingerprintingapparatus 10 is its use by vendors such as department stores, grocerystores, liquor stores, etc. which would utilize fingerprints as apositive means of identification for check cashing purposes. Forexample, when cashing a check, after the drawer endorses the check, thesalesman would take the check and position it into the holder 23,preferably with the back side of the check facing the window 87. Afterwhich, the drawer would impress his fingerprint on the portion of thecheck exposed through the window 87.

The holder is then taken and inserted within the slot 22 formed in theapparatus until the forward end contacts the corner formed by theL-shaped member 18. During this movement, the holder 23 contacts thebeveled rim 90 of the cover 39 to lift it upwardly to enable the holder23 to pass therethrough. As more clearly shown in FIG. 9, the holder 23is positioned such that the indented area 89 fits snugly in an annularportion 91 formed in the cover 39. In this position, the window 87 ofthe holder 23 which is located on the lower side thereof is mounteddirectly over the opening 35 of the cavity 33.

After the holder is fully inserted within the slot 21, the handle 25 isthen depressed to move the levers 27 and 28 downwardly against theforces of springs 60. This downward movement of the levers 27 and 28causes their arcuate sectors 61 to rotate the pinion gears 53 in theclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4. This gear movement istransmitted to the magnet arm 43 to cause the arm to move in the sameclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2. As the magnet arm 43 rotates,the extremity thereof containing the magnet 45 passes over the quantityof magnetic powder 37 to attract a portion of the powder 37 to themagnets 45. During further downward travel of the levers 27 and 28, themagnets 45 are further moved to pass across the opening 35 of the cavity33 to brush the cluster of powder 37 against the surface of the check.During such contact, a portion of the powder adheres to the oil definingthe latent fingerprint. but not to portions of the check surface devoidof such oils. After which, the levers 27 and 28 are then released andpermitted to be biased to their upward position by the coil springs 60.The upward movement of the levers 27 and 28 causes the magnet arm 43 torotate in a counterclockwise direction to again pass over the opening 35of the cavity 33 to enable the magnet 45 to attract the excess quantityof powder 37. The magnet arm 43 then continues to rotate in acounterclockwise direction to the position shown in solid lines in FIG.2.

The movement of the lever arm 27 also controls the operation of thehammer 71 to further ensure against any excess powder deposits on thefingerprint. As stated above, the downward movement of the lever 27causes the lug 63 to force the hammer arm 69 downw'ardly until theprojection 77 engages the shoulder 79 of the sear 81. (See FIG. 7). Thesear 81 is caused to fall into that engaging position because of theeccentrically mounted weight formed by the arcuate section 83 thereon.This portion of the sear 81 keeps the hammer 71 in a cocked positionuntil the lever 27 is again permitted to be raised. The upward movementof the lever 27 enables the lug 63 to move away from the hammer arm 69 asufficient distance so as not to impede its striking movement. Duringthe upward movement of the lever 27, the trigger 65 contacts the arcuatesector 63 of the sear 81 to move the sear 81 in a counterclockwisedirection as shown in FIG. 4. This rotational movement causes theshoulder 79 to move away from the projection 77 of the hammer 71 tounlock or release the hammer 71. The released hammer 71 is then forcedupwardly by the coil spring 73 in a rapid manner to enable the hammer toextend through the aperture 75 to strike the holder 25. This causes anyexcess powder remaining on the fingerprint to be jarred loose to fallback into the cavity 33. After this action is completed, the holder 23is removed from the apparatus 10 and the check is removed from theholder with the visible fingerprint clearly formed thereon.

As can be seen, the entire developing operation of the apparatus 10 isdone automatically without the operator touching the magnets or themagnetic powder. All that is required is placing the medium in theholder, inserting the holder within the apparatus, depressing the leversand releasing. The holder is then taken out of the slot and the mediumis taken out of the holder with a clear and permanent fingerprint formedthereon. Moreover, the quality of the fingerprint is very high. Anotheradvantage of the apparatus is after the card holder 23 is removed fromthe slot 21, the cover 39 is biased downwardly onto the opening 35 toenclose the cavity 33 to prevent any powder 37 from spilling.

It should be noted that various modifications can be made to theapparatus while still remaining within the purview of the followingclaims. Various modifications can also be made in the method oftakingprints on the medium. For example, after the medium is endorsed,it could first be positioned within the card holder 23, and then thefinger imprint would be made on the portion of the medium being exposedthrough the window 87.

What, is claimed is: l. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing afingerprint impressed on the surface of a medium comprising:

a casing having an enclosed cavity formed therein for containing asupply of magnetizable powder, said casing having a slot formed thereindefining an opening over said cavity, said slot adapted to receive themedium with the fingerprinted surface facing the opening of said cavity;

a magnet movably mounted within said cavity to extend into the portionof the cavity containing the powder and to attract and carry a clusterof powder across the opening of the cavity to enable the powder tocontact and adhere to the fingerprint impressed on the medium;

jogger means disposed within the casing for. removing excess powder fromthe medium before the medium is entirely removed from said casingwhereby distortion of the fingerprint is prevented; and

means on a forward stroke, actuating said magnet for the powder carryingoperation and, on a return stroke, actuating said jogger means.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnet is rotatably mountedwithin said cavity.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said apparatus further comprisesmeans for enclosing the portion of said cavity containing themagnetizable powder during non-use.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said enclosing means comprises aspring biased cover mounted over the opening, said cover being movableto permit the medium to slide under the cover to extend over theopening.

5. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing a fingerprint impressed onthe surface of a medium comprising:

a casing having a cavity thereon adapted to contain a supply ofmagnetizable powder;

a container in said cavity adapted to hold said supply of magnetizablepowder; means for receiving and supporting said medium adjacent saidcontainer including an aperture communicating with said container and aslot formed in said casing adapted to receive said medium;

means for enclosing said aperture to maintain said magnetizable powderin said container during nonuse including a resiliently biased covermounted over the aperture in said means for receiving and supporting,said cover extending into said slot;

said medium comprising means for forcing said resilient cover away fromsaid aperture, whereby in response to said medium passing under theresiliently biased cover, said cover is moved away from said aperture toa position operatively retaining said medium over said aperture; and

a magnet movably mounted within said casing, said magnet adapted toattract and brush a quantity of magnetizable powder onto the surface ofsaid medium having the fingerprint impressed thereon.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein said means for receiving andsupporting the medium comprises means for supporting the medium in ahorizontal plane.

7. The invention of claim 5 further including means on the housing forremoving any excess magnetizable powder from the medium.

8. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing a fingerprint impressed onthe surface of a medium comprising:

a casing having a cavity therein adapted to contain a supply ofmagnetizable powder;

container in said cavity adapted to hold said supply of magnetizablepowder;

means for receiving and supporting said medium adjacent said containerincluding an aperture communicating with said container;

a magnet movably mounted within said container, said magnet adapted toattract and brush a quantity of magnetizable powder onto the surface ofsaid medium having the fingerprint impressed thereon;

means for moving said magnet including a shaft, at least one lever and agear on said shaft wherein the shaft is mounted in said container andsaid lever is capable of moving said shaft through engagement with saidgear;

means for removing excess powder from said medium including aresiliently biased hammer mounted in said casing; and

means on said lever for cocking said hammer into an operative positionas said lever is moving said magnet to brush said magnetizable powderonto the surface of said medium.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said lever comprises means fortriggering said hammer as said lever is returning to its initialposition.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein said cocking means comprises a lugmounted on said lever for contacting said hammer to move it against thebias of the spring, and a sear, pivotally mounted on said casing sidewall, comprising a shoulder for engaging a projection formed on saidhammer.

Ill. The invention of claim 10 wherein said triggering means comprises asecond lug formed on said lever for contacting and pivoting said searout of engagement with the projection formed on said hammer.

112. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing the imprint of afingerprint that is impressed on a surface of a medium such as a checkby a person. the medium capable of retaining the oils of the personsfingerprint comprising:

a housing;

a container mounted in the housing and adapted to hold a supply ofmagnetizable powder;

a holder adapted to receive the medium. the holder having an opening toexpose the fingerprinted surface of the medium;

a support member adapted to supportingly receive the holder and mediumtherewith and having an aperture communicating with the containerwhereby at least a portion of the medium with the fingerprinted surfacefacing the aperture can be operatively exposed to the magnetizablepowder in the container;

a magnet rotatably mounted within the container to operatively contactthe magnetizable powder and carry at least a portion of the powderacross the ap erture in the support member to enable the aperture in thesupport member to enable the magnetizable powder to contact and adhereto the fingerprint impressed on the medium;

means for rotatably moving the magnet in the container;

a cover member connected to the housing and adapted to extend over thesupport member; and sealing means on the cover member for sealing saidaperture and movable in response to entry of said holder and mediumtherewith whereby to press said holder and medium into a stationarysealing contact with the support member about the aperture whereby themagnetizable powder will only contact the fingerprinted surface of themedium exposed through the aperture and the surplus magnetizable powderwill remain in the container.

13. The invention of claim 12 further including means on the housing forremoving any excess magnetizable powder from the medium.

M. The invention of claim 12 wherein the sealing means on the covermember includes a resilient member that is biased to close the apertureand retain the magnetizable powder when no medium is inserted under thecover member.

115. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing the imprint of afingerprint that is impressed on a surface of a medium such as a checkby a person, the medium capable of retaining the oils of the personsfingerprint comprising:

a housing;

a container member mounted in the housing and adapted to hold a supplyof magnetizable powder;

a support member adapted to supportingly receive the medium and havingan aperture communicating the medium with the fingerprinted surfacefacing the aperture can be operatively exposed to the magnetizablepowder in the container;

a magnet movably mounted within the container to operatively contact themagnetizable powder and carry at least a portion of the powder acrossthe aperture in the support member to enable the powder to contact andadhere to the fingerprint impressed on the medium;

means for moving the magnet;

a cover member connected to the housing adapted to extend over thesupport member and form therewith a slot for receiving the medium;

resilient means on the cover member for sealingly pressing the perimeterof the aperture to close the aperture directly when there is no mediumpresent and to press the medium into a stationary sealing contact withthe support member when there is a medium operatively positioned overthe aperture whereby the magnetizable powder will only contact thefingerprinted surface of the medium exposed through the aperture and thesurplus magnetizable powder will remain in the container; and

means on the housing for removing any excess magnetizable powder fromthe medium.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein the means for moving the magnetfurther rotates the magnet twice across the aperture, once in onedirection and then a second time in the other direction.

17. The invention of claim 15 wherein the resilient means substantiallyextends only over that portion of the support member with the aperture.

18. The invention of claim 15 wherein the cover member is fixedlymounted across the support member to form a slot for the medium.

19. The invention of claim 15 wherein said means on the housing forremoving any excess powder includes a spring biased hammer pivotallymounted in the housmg.

20. The invention of claim 19 further including means for cocking thehammer as the magnet is rotated to brush powder onto the surface of themedium.

211. The invention of claim 15 wherein said magnet is rotatively mountedwithin the container.

22. The invention of claim 18 wherein said slot is horizontal.

23. The invention of claim 15 wherein said resilient means comprises aspring biased cover mounted over the aperture.

24. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing a fin- 5 gerprint on thesurface of a medium comprising:

a casing having an enclosed cavity formed therein for containing asupply of magnetizable powder and providing an opening over said cavity;

a magnet movably mounted within said cavity to extend into the portionof the cavity containing the powder and to attract and carry a clusterof powder across the opening of the cavity;

a casing cover plate portion positioned above the cavity opening andspaced therefrom;

a cover located between the cavity and the casing cover plate andnormally biased for closing the opening in the cavity in the absence ofa medium;

biasing means extending between the casing cover plate and the cover toeffect said bias and yieldable in response to a said medium passingunder the cover for sealingly forcing a non-charged said medium carryingoil of a fingerprint to be developed into a fixed position over theopening in said cavity after said medium is in place over said cavity;

means operable when said biasing means has sealingly positioned saidmedium over said cavity for moving said magnet to carry a cluster ofpowder into contact with the fingerprint oil on said medium; and

means for removing excess powder from said medium.

25. The invention of claim 24 wherein the biasing means includes atleast one spring.

26. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing the imprint of afingerprint that is impressed on a surface of a medium such as a checkby a person, the medium capable of retaining the oils of the personsfingerprint comprising:

a housing;

a container mounted in the housing and adapted to hold a supply ofmagnetizable powder;

a support member adapted to supportingly receive the medium and havingan aperture communicating with the container whereby at least a portionof the medium with the fingerprinted surface facing the aperture can beoperatively exposed to the magnetizable powder in the container;

a magnet rotatably mounted within the container to operatively contactthe magnetizable powder and carry at least a portion of the powderacross the aperture in the support member to enable the magnetizablepowder to contact and adhere to the fingerprint impressed on the medium;

means for rotatably moving the magnet in the container;

a cover member connected to the housing and adapted to extend over thesupport member;

sealing means on the cover member for pressing the medium into astationary sealing contact with the support member about the aperturewhereby the magnetizable powder will only contact the fingerprintedsurface of the medium exposed through the aperture and the surplusmagnetizable powder will remain in the container, and

a holder adapted to receive the medium, the holder having an opening toexpose the fingerprinted surface of the medium, the holder capable ofmoving the sealing means to permit access to the aperture.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3.831.552Dated August 27, 1 974 lnventofls) Gerald W. Schmidt et al It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 14, after "ing", insert "with the container whereby atleast a portion of".

Signed 'and sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer I vCommissioner.- of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMM'DC 60876-P69 v.5.GOVERNMENT PRINTING ornc: I!" o-aic-su,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent I 3.831.552Dated Auqust 27. 1974 Inv ent0r(s) Gerald W. Schmidt et al It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patentare hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 8, line 14, after "ing", insert "with the container whereby atleast a portion of".

Signed 'and sealed this 3rd day of December 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents FORM PC4050 (10'69) USCOMM-DC 50376-P69 LLS. GOVERNMENT PRINTINGOFFICE I869 0-356-384.

1. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing a fingerprint impressed onthe surface of a medium comprising: a casing having an enclosed cavityformed therein for containing a supply of magnetizable powder, saidcasing having a slot formed therein defining an opening over saidcavity, said slot adapted to receive the medium with the fingerprintedsurface facing the opening of said cavity; a magnet movably mountedwithin said cavity to extend into the portion of the cavity containingthe powder and to attract and carry a cluster of powder across theopening of the cavity to enable the powder to contact and adhere to thefingerprint impressed on the medium; jogger means disposed within thecasing for removing excess powder from the medium before the medium isentirely removed from said casing whereby distortion of the fingerprintis prevented; and means on a forward stroke, actuating said magnet forthe powder carrying operation and, on a return stroke, actuating saidjogger means.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said magnet isrotatably mounted within said cavity.
 3. The invention of claim 2wherein said apparatus further comprises means for enclosing the portionof said cavity containing the magnetizable powder during non-use.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3 wherein said enclosing means comprises a springbiased cover mounted over the opening, said cover being movable topermit the medium to slide under the cover to extend over the opening.5. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing a fingerprint impressed onthe surface of a medium coMprising: a casing having a cavity thereonadapted to contain a supply of magnetizable powder; a container in saidcavity adapted to hold said supply of magnetizable powder; means forreceiving and supporting said medium adjacent said container includingan aperture communicating with said container and a slot formed in saidcasing adapted to receive said medium; means for enclosing said apertureto maintain said magnetizable powder in said container during non-useincluding a resiliently biased cover mounted over the aperture in saidmeans for receiving and supporting, said cover extending into said slot;said medium comprising means for forcing said resilient cover away fromsaid aperture, whereby in response to said medium passing under theresiliently biased cover, said cover is moved away from said aperture toa position operatively retaining said medium over said aperture; and amagnet movably mounted within said casing, said magnet adapted toattract and brush a quantity of magnetizable powder onto the surface ofsaid medium having the fingerprint impressed thereon.
 6. The inventionof claim 5 wherein said means for receiving and supporting the mediumcomprises means for supporting the medium in a horizontal plane.
 7. Theinvention of claim 5 further including means on the housing for removingany excess magnetizable powder from the medium.
 8. A fingerprintingapparatus for developing a fingerprint impressed on the surface of amedium comprising: a casing having a cavity therein adapted to contain asupply of magnetizable powder; container in said cavity adapted to holdsaid supply of magnetizable powder; means for receiving and supportingsaid medium adjacent said container including an aperture communicatingwith said container; a magnet movably mounted within said container,said magnet adapted to attract and brush a quantity of magnetizablepowder onto the surface of said medium having the fingerprint impressedthereon; means for moving said magnet including a shaft, at least onelever and a gear on said shaft wherein the shaft is mounted in saidcontainer and said lever is capable of moving said shaft throughengagement with said gear; means for removing excess powder from saidmedium including a resiliently biased hammer mounted in said casing; andmeans on said lever for cocking said hammer into an operative positionas said lever is moving said magnet to brush said magnetizable powderonto the surface of said medium.
 9. The invention of claim 8 whereinsaid lever comprises means for triggering said hammer as said lever isreturning to its initial position.
 10. The invention of claim 9 whereinsaid cocking means comprises a lug mounted on said lever for contactingsaid hammer to move it against the bias of the spring, and a sear,pivotally mounted on said casing side wall, comprising a shoulder forengaging a projection formed on said hammer.
 11. The invention of claim10 wherein said triggering means comprises a second lug formed on saidlever for contacting and pivoting said sear out of engagement with theprojection formed on said hammer.
 12. A fingerprinting apparatus fordeveloping the imprint of a fingerprint that is impressed on a surfaceof a medium such as a check by a person, the medium capable of retainingthe oils of the person''s fingerprint comprising: a housing; a containermounted in the housing and adapted to hold a supply of magnetizablepowder; a holder adapted to receive the medium, the holder having anopening to expose the fingerprinted surface of the medium; a supportmember adapted to supportingly receive the holder and medium therewithand having an aperture communicating with the container whereby at leasta portion of the medium with the fingerprinted surface facing theaperture can be operatively exposed to the magnetizable powder in thecontainer; a magnet rotatably mounted within the container tooperatively contact the mAgnetizable powder and carry at least a portionof the powder across the aperture in the support member to enable theaperture in the support member to enable the magnetizable powder tocontact and adhere to the fingerprint impressed on the medium; means forrotatably moving the magnet in the container; a cover member connectedto the housing and adapted to extend over the support member; andsealing means on the cover member for sealing said aperture and movablein response to entry of said holder and medium therewith whereby topress said holder and medium into a stationary sealing contact with thesupport member about the aperture whereby the magnetizable powder willonly contact the fingerprinted surface of the medium exposed through theaperture and the surplus magnetizable powder will remain in thecontainer.
 13. The invention of claim 12 further including means on thehousing for removing any excess magnetizable powder from the medium. 14.The invention of claim 12 wherein the sealing means on the cover memberincludes a resilient member that is biased to close the aperture andretain the magnetizable powder when no medium is inserted under thecover member.
 15. A fingerprinting apparatus for developing the imprintof a fingerprint that is impressed on a surface of a medium such as acheck by a person, the medium capable of retaining the oils of theperson''s fingerprint comprising: a housing; a container member mountedin the housing and adapted to hold a supply of magnetizable powder; asupport member adapted to supportingly receive the medium and having anaperture communicating the medium with the fingerprinted surface facingthe aperture can be operatively exposed to the magnetizable powder inthe container; a magnet movably mounted within the container tooperatively contact the magnetizable powder and carry at least a portionof the powder across the aperture in the support member to enable thepowder to contact and adhere to the fingerprint impressed on the medium;means for moving the magnet; a cover member connected to the housingadapted to extend over the support member and form therewith a slot forreceiving the medium; resilient means on the cover member for sealinglypressing the perimeter of the aperture to close the aperture directlywhen there is no medium present and to press the medium into astationary sealing contact with the support member when there is amedium operatively positioned over the aperture whereby the magnetizablepowder will only contact the fingerprinted surface of the medium exposedthrough the aperture and the surplus magnetizable powder will remain inthe container; and means on the housing for removing any excessmagnetizable powder from the medium.
 16. The invention of claim 15wherein the means for moving the magnet further rotates the magnet twiceacross the aperture, once in one direction and then a second time in theother direction.
 17. The invention of claim 15 wherein the resilientmeans substantially extends only over that portion of the support memberwith the aperture.
 18. The invention of claim 15 wherein the covermember is fixedly mounted across the support member to form a slot forthe medium.
 19. The invention of claim 15 wherein said means on thehousing for removing any excess powder includes a spring biased hammerpivotally mounted in the housing.
 20. The invention of claim 19 furtherincluding means for cocking the hammer as the magnet is rotated to brushpowder onto the surface of the medium.
 21. The invention of claim 15wherein said magnet is rotatively mounted within the container.
 22. Theinvention of claim 18 wherein said slot is horizontal.
 23. The inventionof claim 15 wherein said resilient means comprises a spring biased covermounted over the aperture.
 24. A fingerprinting apparatus for developinga fingerprint on the surface of a medium comprising: a casing having anenclosed cavity formed therein for conTaining a supply of magnetizablepowder and providing an opening over said cavity; a magnet movablymounted within said cavity to extend into the portion of the cavitycontaining the powder and to attract and carry a cluster of powderacross the opening of the cavity; a casing cover plate portionpositioned above the cavity opening and spaced therefrom; a coverlocated between the cavity and the casing cover plate and normallybiased for closing the opening in the cavity in the absence of a medium;biasing means extending between the casing cover plate and the cover toeffect said bias and yieldable in response to a said medium passingunder the cover for sealingly forcing a non-charged said medium carryingoil of a fingerprint to be developed into a fixed position over theopening in said cavity after said medium is in place over said cavity;means operable when said biasing means has sealingly positioned saidmedium over said cavity for moving said magnet to carry a cluster ofpowder into contact with the fingerprint oil on said medium; and meansfor removing excess powder from said medium.
 25. The invention of claim24 wherein the biasing means includes at least one spring.
 26. Afingerprinting apparatus for developing the imprint of a fingerprintthat is impressed on a surface of a medium such as a check by a person,the medium capable of retaining the oils of the person''s fingerprintcomprising: a housing; a container mounted in the housing and adapted tohold a supply of magnetizable powder; a support member adapted tosupportingly receive the medium and having an aperture communicatingwith the container whereby at least a portion of the medium with thefingerprinted surface facing the aperture can be operatively exposed tothe magnetizable powder in the container; a magnet rotatably mountedwithin the container to operatively contact the magnetizable powder andcarry at least a portion of the powder across the aperture in thesupport member to enable the magnetizable powder to contact and adhereto the fingerprint impressed on the medium; means for rotatably movingthe magnet in the container; a cover member connected to the housing andadapted to extend over the support member; sealing means on the covermember for pressing the medium into a stationary sealing contact withthe support member about the aperture whereby the magnetizable powderwill only contact the fingerprinted surface of the medium exposedthrough the aperture and the surplus magnetizable powder will remain inthe container, and a holder adapted to receive the medium, the holderhaving an opening to expose the fingerprinted surface of the medium, theholder capable of moving the sealing means to permit access to theaperture.